18th Food & Beverage Industry Meeting

THE FOUR I-ENGINES OF THE INDUSTRY

Although the food and beverage industry has not been immune to the economic downturn, many companies have fared well, including prominent large firms, as well as “hidden champions,” outstanding examples of small- and medium-sized companies.

These organizations all share several common criteria of excellence. This meeting will explore four benchmarks through case studies and best practices:

1 – INNOVATION
Innovation, in the widest sense, goes beyond product development to encompass new processes and strategies to engage customers.

2 – INTERNATIONALIZATION
The subject of the previous meeting – “Selling Across Continents” – will be further evaluated as the main engine for growth. The meeting will review new research and provide an update of Vademecum, a practical guide for exports.

3 – INTEGRATION
The fragmentation within the sector is excessive. The meeting will address strategies to integrate companies with competitive advantages whose small size impedes them from growing.

4 – IMPLICATION
The industry-distribution confrontation has had a negative effect for both sides, while yielding no added value to the consumer. The meeting will review success stories of effective partnering between industry and distribution, as well as examples of cooperation and alliances within the same industry.

The 18th Food and Beverage Industry Meeting will deliver a broad overview of the sector as a whole and the opportunities offered by the four “I-engines”, critical for future success.

The second edition of the Vademecum on Food and Beverage Markets will be distributed exclusively to the participants in the Meeting. The Vademecum's new features include the Food and Beverage Attractiveness Index, as well as new data and information on the main export markets.